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Thursday, September 1, 2011

An engineered virus, injected into the blood, can selectively target cancer cells throughout the body in what researchers have labeled a medical first.

According to the journal Nature, in a small trial on 23 patients, the virus attacked only tumours, leaving the healthy tissue alone. Researchers said the findings could one day "truly transform" therapies.

Using viruses to attack cancers is not a new concept, but they have needed to be injected directly into tumours in order to evade the immune system.
Scientists modified the vaccinia virus, which is more famous for being used to develop a smallpox vaccine.

The virus, named JX-594, is dependent upon a chemical pathway, common in some cancers, in order to replicate was injected at different doses into the blood of 23 patients with cancers which had spread to multiple organs in the body.

WASHINGTON – Newseum, a journalism museum in Washington, is expanding its current FBI exhibit with a new section, "War on Terror: The FBI's New Focus." Many clues that were later uncovered about the 9/11 mastermind's activities, which have been stored in the FBI's evidence lockers, are now going on public view for the first time Friday.

Among 60 new artifacts on view are engines and landing gear from passenger planes that crashed into the World Trade Center and some personal items, such as a wallet of Ruth McCourt of New London, Conn., who was taking her 4-year-old daughter Juliana to Disneyland on United Flight 175 before it crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center, and cell phones found in the rubble that rung for days after the attacks as family members tried desperately to find their loved ones. Ten years after the attacks, the Newseum said it was time to examine the impact.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

TimeTours: Chichen Itza for iOS, is a universal multimedia app that takes the viewer on a guided tour of the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza. The app, released by TimeTours, features meticulously rendered 3D stills, animations, and full-circle panoramas that allow instant comparison of the city as it appears today, versus how it looked over 900 years ago. At once a practical guide for actual tourists visiting the archaeological site in Mexico, and a doorway for virtual travelers exploring the past, the fact-filled multimedia production heralds a new age of app-based time traveler and tourist guides.

The pre-Hispanic city of Chichen Itza has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was recently voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the world. Founded in approximately 750 AD, by 1000 AD the city had become a major center of Mayan arts, religion, politics, and commerce. A theocracy, ruled by god-like kings, the city and its temples were inhabited by high priests and aristocrats, with common people occupying small village communities in the surrounding areas.

Also included in the app are stereoscopic 3D animations, control panel, advice on local accommodations, an integrated treasure hunt and two more educative minigames. The treasury shows your collected calendar stones, now GameCenter achievements.

Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc., and T-Mobile USA are planning to invest more than $100 million in their joint venture that would allow consumers to pay for goods using their mobile phones, according to people with knowledge of the project.

The investment sets up a showdown between the project, known as Isis, and rivals like a mobile-payment service from Google Inc. The amount of funding depends on how successful Isis is at attracting banks and merchants.

“It’s a given that people are going to be transacting more over cellphones,’’ said Chetan Sharma, an independent wireless analyst. “It could open a potential new revenue stream for them.’’
Formed last year, Isis also would enable consumers to receive and redeem coupons via their mobile devices. The service, which will debut in several cities next year, will make money by charging marketers a fee for sending offers to consumers’ phones.